RCMP to step up patrols in North Battleford following five shooting incidents

The RCMP has stepped up its patrols in North Battleford after a number of shooting incidents over the past few days.

Since Saturday, RCMP officers have responded to no fewer than five separate incidents involving discharged firearms, and have increased patrols in the area to help keep the public safe.

In the early-morning hours of Saturday morning, police responded to a report of shots fired at a home on Eighth Avenue. Police determined a suspect shot at the home and shattered a window.

Less than an hour later, police received a report of a single gunshot being fired, and officers found the victim, who was in a vehicle. The victims were unhurt in both cases, RCMP said.

On Sunday afternoon, police got a 911 call from a victim who said they had been shot, but the call was disconnected. Police traced the call to a home in North Battleford, where they found the caller suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg.

The victim was taken to hospital, the RCMP said, and police determined three people dressed in black were seen leaving the house.

On Monday morning, police were called after a man was shot while walking in the intersection of 110th Street and 11th Avenue. His injuries were considered serious but not life-threatening, the RCMP said, and he was taken to hospital by paramedics. In that case, no suspects or vehicles were identified.

The most recent incident happened Tuesday afternoon, when a women arrived at a local hospital reporting she had been shot in the head. The RCMP said she had noticed a dark-coloured vehicle — possibly a Jeep — following her while she was driving.

As she approached 105th Street, the RCMP said, the vehicle pulled up beside her and someone inside fired into the victim’s vehicle, shattering the windows.

“The victim was able to drive home and was taken to hospital by a family member for treatment of what were described as being serious, but non-life-threatening injuries,” the Mounties said. “The victim’s vehicle was seized by officers for further investigation.”

The RCMP said there are some indications the shootings may be gang-related, but there is not yet enough information available to make that determination.

Police asked the public to share any information that might help in the investigations, and assured the public that officers are working hard to close the cases.

“RCMP is working tirelessly to investigate all aspects of these incidents,” Insp. Jesse Gilbert, the officer in charge of the Battlefords RCMP, said in a statement.

“Residents in the community can expect to see an increased police presence as officers investigate these incidents and work to help maintain public safety.”

Currently, the Battlefords RCMP detachment has nine active investigations where guns have been fired.